Tribune News Network
Doha
The presence of more deadly UK variant of the coronavirus has been confirmed in Qatar, said Dr Abdullatif al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation said on Wednesday.
"We are currently witnessing cases in Qatar of new strains of the virus coming from the United Kingdom and a number of other countries. This strain is more contagious and faster to spread than the current strain, and therefore these strains can contribute to increasing the rate of spread of the virus among members of society," he said while addressing a press conference being held in Doha.
However, the two COVID-19 vaccines available in Qatar are both effective against the new variant, he added.
The COVID-19 infections in Qatar have been significantly increasing over the past few weeks, quadrupling what it was in January 2021, he said.
The infections have increased in all age groups, including the elderly. This is an indication of the transmission of the virus among family members, which is often caused by visits, events and social gatherings, he added.
The cases of severe infection that require hospitalization have also increased significantly, at a rate of more than three times what it was in last January, Dr Khal said, adding that the number of COVID-19 patients transferred to the intensive care has increased to 120 over the past weeks. The capacities of COVID-19-designated hospitals have been increased by 60-70 percent.
With regard to pregnant women taking the vaccine, Dr Khal said there is no indication that vaccination is not safe during pregnancy, whether for the mother or the foetus. It is known that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may lead to severe complications.
Dr Khal said it has not been proven that schools contributed to the spread of infection in society.
Dr Ahmed Al-Muhammad, Head of the Intensive Care Department at the Agency's Hamad Medical Corporation, said, "We noticed that people infected with the new strain of the virus develop more severe symptoms and spend a longer period of recovery, although they receive the same treatments that are given to patients of the original strain, and we have also noticed that some patients are infected with what is known. Post-Covid syndrome, especially the elderly and people with chronic diseases, its symptoms include severe coughing, fatigue and shortness of breath even after complete recovery, so taking precautions today is important for more than ever."
Those infected with the Coronavirus spend more time in hospital and intensive care compared to the first wave, and these changes come as a result of new changes in the virus, he added.
12% of population vaccinated
Dr Khal said more than 380,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people since the beginning of the national vaccination programme, covering nearly 12 percent of the community members.
More than 70 percent of health workers at HMC and more than 67 percent of health workers at PHCC have been vaccinated, he added. The vaccine will be made available to health workers in private hospitals and private clinics, starting next week.
More than 45 percent of teachers and administrators working in public and private schools have also received the vaccine so far.
The registration for the vaccination of imams, muezzins and mosque workers has also begun, he added.
"We expect that a large percentage of the population in the State of Qatar will be vaccinated by the summer."
The danger associated with the COVID-19 virus will continue until the end of this year, and in the event of a significant increase in the number of cases during the coming period, further restrictions are likely to be imposed, he warned.
"Despite the fast pace of the vaccination program in Qatar, it is still too early for all segments of society to receive the vaccine."
